Leaving Finland for treatment abroad

If you wish, you can travel to another EU or EEA country or Switzerland for treatment. You will receive reimbursements from Kela for the treatment according to the same principles as in Finland. Clarify thoroughly in advance the practical issues relating to the treatment. This page contains a checklist of them for your convenience.

Things to remember

You can use health care services in EU countries

If you live in an EU country, you can travel to another EU country to use public and private health care services. You will receive reimbursements from Kela for the treatment in the same way as if you had used private health care services in Finland. You can be reimbursed for the costs of treatment in another EU or EEA country or in Switzerland.

Please note that treatment is always provided in accordance with the national legislation and health care system of each respective country.

The legislation of the country providing the treatment is also applied in the case of treatment injuries. This means that the matter must be clarified with the treatment provider and that any compensation is sought from the authorities of the country in question. Finnish patient insurance does not cover injuries that occur abroad.

What is seeking treatment?

Seeking treatment means that you travel from your country of residence to another country specifically to receive treatment. If you receive treatment abroad on account of a sudden illness or accident, this is not counted as seeking treatment.

With or without prior authorisation?

In terms of costs, there are two options for seeking treatment: with or without prior authorisation. The more common way, which we describe on this page, is to travel for treatment without prior authorisation, in which case you will pay all the costs related to the treatment yourself and apply for reimbursements from Kela retrospectively.

Help with preparations

How to find a place of treatment

You can look for a suitable place of treatment through the websites of different countries, for example. See our country-specific pages for more information on the health care practices and services of different countries. You can also contact the contact point for cross-border health care of the destination country. You can request information from local patient associations on how a particular illness is treated in the destination country.

Useful links

Practical arrangements

Determine and agree on practical arrangements and fees with your chosen place of treatment. If necessary, ensure that medical records are translated into a language understood by the treatment provider. Remember to bring the documents with you to the place of treatment. After the treatment, ask the treatment provider for medical records and have them translated into Finnish if you need follow-up treatment in Finland.

Costs and fees

When you travel for treatment without prior authorisation, you will pay all the costs related to the treatment yourself, including medications, accommodation and interpretation. You can apply for reimbursements from Kela retrospectively. Another option is to apply for a payment commitment, i.e. prior authorisation, from Kela.

Useful links

What reimbursements you will receive for the treatment

Kela reimburses the costs of treatment provided in another EU or EEA country or in Switzerland in the same way as the costs of private health care services in Finland when you have travelled to the destination country specifically to obtain treatment. The prerequisite is that the treatment in question is included in the range of services available in the Finnish health care system. Apply for reimbursement from Kela within 6 months of paying for the treatment.

What if you suffer a treatment injury?

The legislation of the country providing the treatment is applied in the event of treatment injuries. If you suffer a treatment injury abroad, apply for compensation from the country that provided the treatment. You cannot apply for compensation from Finland for a treatment injury suffered abroad. The contact point of the destination country provides advice on what to do in a problem situation.

Quicklinks

What is Choosehealthcare.fi?

Choosehealthcare.fi is an online service that provides information on cross-border healthcare and the freedom of choice in national healthcare in Finland. The service is provided by the Contact Point for Cross-Border Healthcare in cooperation with the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, the National Institute for Health and Welfare and the Social Insurance Institution.